Rockin’ the Bronx

I’m writing before 9:30, that’s a victory. It’s a bad vision day and I’m writing anyway, another victory. My therapist encourages me to see things like that.

I have not left the house since I last wrote but I have enough to write about without having to delve into politics; I’m going to write about the apartment and the neighborhood. I told you my air-conditioner story yesterday, there’s an update. I didn’t blow a fuse, just a power strip. Now I have all the electricity in the living room working. I had another victory over electronics with my phone. I have to wait for my SIM card to arrive in the mail before I can use my new phone. My old one’s Wi-Fi no longer worked. The connection optimizer would come on and look for some non-existent website and disconnect. I figured out how to turn it off and my Wi-Fi might not be optimal, but I’m connected to my own network. I’m not sure what will happen when I try it on other networks.

This is a strange week. I don’t have a single thing on my calendar. How did that happen? That makes it a good week to see Infinity War. I’ll do it next good vision day. Too bad, my Crohn’s has been acting up; I dare not try eating popcorn.

I finally cooked a dinner in my apartment. It was as simple as can be, hot dogs and a microwave baked potato but it broke the ice. I’m going to be home this week, so I should cook every night. It’s hot and there is no AC in the kitchen, I should minimize my prep time. That will be a nice challenge.

I just took time out to order coffee from Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery, the official coffee of Wise Madness. When I was a kid I thought something being the official ____ of the New York Mets meant that’s the brand they used, not that they paid the Mets to say that. Ahrre’s is the official coffee in the sense I meant it as a kid; I love it and Arpie aka Ahrre; he is a friend and supporter of live music.

Maybe I should have sponsors. Would businesses pay me a small fortune for ad space? They should, I’m a trend setter, or is that delusional. It’s one or the other.

Yesterday’s highlights were getting to speak to Cheryl and Bri on the phone. I’m not one of those people that hates talking on the phone, I love it, with the right people. Now that I’m back to living by myself it’s the only way I hear a live human voice many days. I’m going to go shopping today but I always use the self-checkout, so I still might not hear anyone.

Now to tackle the neighborhood. It’s nice living in an urban setting again. There are bodegas on the block. There is a third-way decent supermarket a few minutes away. I’m going to take the bus to Stop & Shop today because the Foodtown doesn’t have a very good ice cream selection. I hope it doesn’t melt to bad on the ride home. I could use some other things too. Perhaps I’ll also stop at Aldi, it’s on the same bus.

I am still exploring the neighborhood but there is a park at the end of the block, a brick oven pizza place, several Dunkin’ Donuts, 99¢ stores, and a CVS, the basic necessities.

The people are much more diverse than on City Island. For the first time since I left Briarwood I saw a Sikh in a turban and Indian women in colorful outfits. There are Asians and people from the Caribbean, so I should be able to find MSG, plantains, and the other ethnic foods I had in Crown Heights. I hear multiple languages being spoken. People look different than each other. This is the America I know and love; it is just as much the Real America as homogenous small towns. I said I wouldn’t go to politics, but this is part of the big sort. People that move to cities are energized by the diversity. People that fear it flee.

One problem is that there are many loud people. I’m on the second floor and if the window is open I hear them shouting to each other. I hear people in the building. It looks like it should be a quiet street, but it isn’t.

On the plus side everyone has been nice and friendly. When I ask for directions I get greeted with a smile. When I walk in the park people smiled as I walked by. I talk to people with dogs; dog people are usually friendly. I got offered free beer from a guy that delivers it. There are lots of kids.

Like Briarwood there isn’t much to do right close by, but I can walk to the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo is not very far. Who wants to visit them with me? I can also walk to Fordham, WFUV is going to hate that, I might stop by.

I’m using the AC, but the apartment is surprisingly comfortable in the rooms without it despite temperatures of over 100°. That’s a benefit of living on a lower floor. I’ve only lived on the time floor before this.

When it cools off I’ll walk around the neighborhood and take pictures. I haven’t done a photo essay in a while, it’s about time I did again. I have been neglecting my camera and just using my phone. Even with that people have used my photos on their profiles and websites. The positive feedback feeds my ego. Now it’s time to feed my stomach. Like that segue? Ve con Dios Mis Amables Lectores.